Julius “Jay” Zamal

Julius “Jay” Zamal, 98, of Enfield, passed away peacefully at his home on March 9, 2026. Born in Gibbstown, New Jersey on February 16, 1928, he was the son of the late John and Margaret (Lucas) Zamal. Raised in New Jersey, Jay moved to Enfield in 1980.

Jay proudly served his country in two branches of the United States military. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a Private First Class during World War II from 1945 to 1946. He later graduated from the University of Miami in 1952 with a B.B.A. in Economics through the Army ROTC program and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He remained deeply connected to his veteran community as the oldest member of the Landry-Sic VFW Post 9544 in Suffield.

Following his military service, Jay enjoyed a 33-year career with Burroughs/Unisys, where he sold mainframe computers to large corporations and hospitals before retiring in 1988. A man of deep faith, he was a longtime communicant of Holy Family Church in Enfield. He was also a devoted friend of Bill W. and found great purpose in supporting others in recovery. For many years he attended and mentored through the Suffield Men’s Group, the Longmeadow Old Timers Group, and the Hazardville Group, touching countless lives with his compassion, honesty, and encouragement.

Jay was an avid golfer who achieved a hole-in-one at the Veterans Golf Course in Springfield, Massachusetts, and once golfed his age in retirement. He attended the US Open Pro-Am in Long Island, New York, and the Greater Hartford Open in Cromwell, Connecticut on many occasions. After retirement, he spent winters in Hollywood, Florida, where he continued to enjoy the game.

The youngest of six children, Jay was predeceased by his siblings Charles, Albert, Pat, Victoria, and Adella, his wife Doris (née Trexler), and his daughter Janine Elliotte. He is survived by his two beloved children, Dennise “Deni” Hamilton and her husband Skip of New Braunfels, Texas, and Jay Zamal and his wife Linda of Windsor Locks, Connecticut; seven cherished grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.